Chris Kendall is a holistic nutritionist who is passionate about the raw food diet, particularly the 80 10 10 style of raw veganism. We spoke with him about fruit, the 80 10 10 diet, being in the moment and other related topics. If you're considering going on a fruit-based diet, this interview is for you.

Q. What led you to start eating a raw vegan diet?A. Really I got into raw veganism because it simply made sense on all levels and I could tell it was what I was looking for. By the time I went raw, I had been transitioning to a high raw low fat vegan already, had been studying and applying health principals for 5 years, and was half way through my schooling to become an RHN, registered holistic nutritionist. Initially I got into "health" for athleticism.Q. What is your personal approach to eating raw?A. Simple as simple can be. I eat the whole fresh raw ripe fruits and veggies that I love the absolute most with no restriction. I enjoy mono meals, as well as simple recipes, such as in my "101 Frickin' Rawsome Recipes" ebook by donation, or slightly more "transitional," as in my upcoming "TRA Retreat Treats" recipe book. In general I get my calories from fruit, enjoy lots of greens and fruit veggies and smaller amounts of fatty fruits, nuts and seeds. 80/10/10 :)Q. What were some of the initial and long term benefits that you've experienced since eating raw?A. As I had already been clearing out for awhile, I felt a instant burst of energy and a much deeper connection to self, others and divine, knowing all was really one. As time went on, joint pains, depression, candida, body odor, rough skin, lethargy all dissipated and left! Q. Do you feel that there is a connection between diet, especially a raw vegan diet, and practices like meditation, yoga, and tai chi?A. I do feel that a simple low fat raw vegan diet is the highest vibrational and sustainable food based diet one can thrive on. As such it allows one to tune in and become mindful of various levels of vibrations within and without, potentially having a huge impact on any energetic, mindful practice or art. Q. How do you feel about frozen fruit? Do you think it can be an adaquate source of nutrition for those who cannot easily access, or afford to eat, ripe, non-frozen fruit?A. While I personally would prefer to have the vast majority of my fruit fresh, I recognize that freezing food is the best method of preservation with the least nutrient damage possible. Since raw fruit and tender young greens make up our most nutritious food sources per calorie by far, frozen fruit would be number two. I use frozen foods from time to time, usually blended into fresh, being mindful to chew and swallow when at body temperature. Swallowing cold foods/drink is hard on digestion, as well as some beneficial bacteria in our GI. Q. What are some of the foods that you find yourself, or your coaching clients, eating the most?A. Sweet juicy fruit!!! Bananas, mangos, melons, grapes, tomatoes, dates, mmm sooo much, all flowing with personal preference and the seasons :)Q. How do you feel about blended foods? What is a favorite recipe of yours?A. I go through days, weeks and months blending often or not at all, preference fruit availability and in the moment needs come into play. Whole food has many benefits, blending foods has benefits too! Hmmm… one of my favorite simple recipes is orange creamsicle, equal parts honeydew and orange juice, otherwise my "presto sun dried tomato pesto," both in my "101 Frickin' Rawsome Recipes".Q. What are some of the areas that you focus on with your coaching clients besides diet?A. While diet is often a subject talked on, the emotional, social, and spiritual side of improving ones lifestyle more often than not comes up. I really feel the raw diet is a vortex of positive change, a precursor to true mind, body, spirit holistic awakening and growth.Q. What are some effective ways that you've found to be helpful for dealing with emotional eating?A. To learn to eat for nourishment, to learn to feel emotions instead of numbing them with food. Simple mindfulness, breath work, exercise, a change of perspective to see all as a gift, creating loving acceptance of what is, knowing that it shall pass and be released more assuredly, and with ease if loved and accepted. Q. Do you have any advice for someone who wants to feel more connected to the moment and experience greater levels of inspiration and contentment?A. Breathe. Love with every breath, feel it come in and move out with every cell. Intentional conscious breathing, especially from/with love/heart space brings such ease, connection and inner joy. My mantra many a time has been "breathe love," "breathe" on the in and "love" on the out.Q. Where can people get in contact with you?A. Blessed to share years of fun, information and inspiration at http://TheRawAdvantage.com :) Loads of free information, 2 free ebooks just for joining my mailing list, books, ebooks, t-shirts kitchen tools, retreats, consultations by donation and much more!